On June 2, 2015, President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to Army Private Henry Johnson for conspicuous gallantry during World War I.
Private Henry Johnson will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions while serving as a member of Company C, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Then-Private Johnson distinguished himself during combat operations in the vicinity of the Tourbe and Aisne Rivers, northwest of Saint Menehoul, France, on May 15, 1918.
Private Johnson entered the Army on June 5, 1917. He was assigned to Company C, 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment, an all-black National Guard unit that would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment. The Regiment was ordered into battle in 1918, and Private Johnson and his unit were brigaded with a French Army colonial unit in front-line combat.
While on night sentry duty on May 15, 1918, Private Johnson and a fellow Soldier received a surprise attack by a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in several enemy casualties.
When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Private Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Displaying great courage, Private Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated.
Command Sergeant Major Louis Wilson, New York National Guard, will join the President at the White House to accept the Medal of Honor on Private Johnson’s behalf.
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NY Daily News: …. Although doctors had replaced his shin bone with a steel tube and removed most of the bones from one foot, Johnson’s discharge papers rated him as having a zero percent disability, disqualifying him for benefits.
Succumbing to poverty and drink, he died at the age of 32 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his only recognition the French Croix de Guerre.
At last, in 1996, the U.S. awarded Johnson a Purple Heart and followed up in 2002 with the nation’s second-highest commendation, the Distinguished Service Cross. At the time, the military denied Johnson the Medal of Honor, finding insufficient documentation of his heroism.
Subsequently, Sen. Chuck Schumer’s volunteer historians have amassed overwhelming proof that this quintessential Hellfighter from Harlem performed with incomprehensible valor in service of a nation that spurned him at every turn because of skin color.
Full article here
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President Obama applauds, from left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia after he awarded them with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, March 18
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24 heroes, 21 deceased, denied recognition by their nation because of racism. Today, Pres. Obama righted the wrong. pic.twitter.com/oZVmH22zHk
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) March 18, 2014
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More on the recipients here
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President Obama stands with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris as his family looks on in the Oval office before a ceremony presenting him with the Medal of Honor
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President Obama greets U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia in the Oval office
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Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Staff Sgt Melvin Morris listens as President Obama details his heroism at WH today pic.twitter.com/4upZrA40Lt
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) March 18, 2014
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President Obama hugs Laurie Wegner who accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of her uncle, Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz
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President Obama presents Nancy Weinstein with a Medal of Honor for her late husband Army Sergeant Jack Weinstein
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President Obama comforts Lenora Alvarado as he awards a Medal of Honor to her late father Army Specialist Four Leonard Alvarado
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President Obama presents Dominga Perez with a Medal of Honor for her late father Army Private Pedro Cano
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris is saluted by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Schneider, from U.S. Army Old Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, after a ceremony presenting Morris with the Medal of Honor in the White House
Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris
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On March 18th, 2014, President Barack Obama will award 24 Army veterans the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.
These veterans will receive the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor during major combat operations in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Each of these Soldiers’ bravery was previously recognized by award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest military award; that award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor in recognition of their gallantry, intrepidity and heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
In 2002, Congress, through the Defense Authorization Act, called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran war records from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, to ensure those deserving the Medal of Honor were not denied because of prejudice. During the review, records of several Soldiers of neither Jewish nor Hispanic descent were also found to display criteria worthy of the Medal of Honor. The 2002 Act was amended to allow these Soldiers to be honored with the upgrade – in addition to the Jewish and Hispanic American Soldiers.
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Obama apologized to Melvin that racism stopped him from getting the medal 44 years ago. Melvin dropped to his knees. pic.twitter.com/EdlJit9kDM
— America Tonight (@AmericaTonight) March 18, 2014
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The President will award the Medal of Honor to:
Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia: For his courageous actions while serving as radio telephone operator in Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during search and clear mission near Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam.
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Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris: For his courageous actions while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn from Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Chi Lang, Republic of Vietnam on September 17, 1969.
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Sergeant First Class Jose Rodela: For his courageous actions while serving as the company commander, Detachment B-36, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on September 1, 1969.
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The President will posthumously award the Medal of Honor to:
Sergeant Candelario Garcia: For his courageous actions while serving as an acting Team Leader for Company B, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Brigade,1st Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam on December 8, 1968.
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Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado: For his courageous actions while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on August 12, 1969.
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Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon: For his courageous actions while serving as an acting Platoon Leader in Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Ap Tan Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on April 4, 1969.
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GETTYSBURG, PA.The autograph hounds waiting expectantly in a hotel lobby weren’t drawn by actors, musicians or politicians, but by a few dozen men whose rare and distinguished achievements have earned them the nation’s highest military honor.
Nearly half of the 79 living recipients of Medal of Honor are attending the gathering in Gettysburg, where some of its first recipients fought 150 years ago.
The Medal of Honor Society annual convention gives the public an opportunity to collect the signatures of the men who have been honored by Congress for risking their lives beyond the call of duty in combat, and dozens of people waited Thursday for them to return from a luncheon at a nearby farm once owned by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Dave Loether, 62, a computer analyst from Pittsburgh, was hoping to add to the 55 signatures of Medal of Honor recipients he has collected on a U.S. Army flag. Loether knows many of their faces by sight — and their stories by heart.
“It’s a piece of cloth with some ink on it — it’s worthless,” Loether said. “On the other hand, it’s priceless.”
Reluctant heroes: Medal of Honor recipients meet an adoring public
The men who hold the highest honor of valor in the land – the recipients of the Medal of Honor – are not known for easily capitulating, but on Thursday they gave in to the demands of their stature to grant admirers a piece of themselves for posterity – their autographs.
Mary Edwards Walker, a Union Army surgeon in the Civil War, the only woman to receive the medal, died in 1919.
Approximately 48 recipients of the Medal of Honor made themselves available to appease the yearning of fans for autographs, handshakes and photos at the second day of the weeklong Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s convention in Gettysburg.
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Continue reading ‘Reluctant heroes: Medal of Honor recipients meet an adoring public’
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Army Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter
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President Barack Obama arrives with U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter to present him the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.
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President Barack Obama awards U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry
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President Barack Obama and Medal of Honor winner U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter pray at the beginning of a ceremony in the East Room at the White House
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Today (all times Eastern)
11:30: President Obama meets with faith leaders to discuss the March on Washington and how civil rights and equality are closely tied to voting rights and closing the gap on education, unemployment, and access to health care
2:10: President Obama awards Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor
3:0 (changed from 12:30): Jay Carney briefs the press
4:15: President Obama meets with 2013 Urban Debate National Tournament Champions
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The Week Ahead:
Tuesday: The President will host a reception at the White House in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Wednesday: The President will deliver remarks at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Thursday: Attends meetings at the White House.
Friday: The President will welcome President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, and President Andris Berzins of Latvia to the White House.
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NPR: Pain, Loss And Tears Come With Medal Of Honor
The Army staff sergeant who Monday afternoon will receive the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony has mixed emotions.
“I would never tell any soldier or service member, ‘Hey, go out and get the Medal of Honor’, because of the amount of pain and loss and tears that has to be shed in order to receive it,” Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter tells Morning Edition host Renee Montagne.
Carter, 33, is being given the nation’s highest military honor for his actions during a 2009 firefight in Afghanistan….
Carter says he’s honored to be recognized for his bravery. But, he adds: “Even though this award is an awesome honor and a great privilege, in order to get such a prestigious award, you have to be in a situation where your soldiers, your family, your brothers, are suffering and dying around you. And then, you just did everything you could to save lives or prevent further loss.”
More here
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Time: U.S. Moves Forces Toward Syria, Inquiry Continues
U.S. intelligence officials sought Saturday to determine whether Syria’s government unleashed a deadly chemical weapons attack on its people. At the same time, the Obama administration prepared for a possible military response by moving naval forces closer to Syria.
Meeting on the issue Saturday with his national security team, President Barack Obama received a detailed review of the range of options he has requested for the U.S. and its international partners to respond if the fact-finding process concludes that Syrian President Bashar Assad engaged in deadly chemical warfare, the White House said.
At the same time, Obama has emphasized that quick intervention in the years-old Syrian civil war was problematic because of the international considerations that should precede a military strike.
Obama discussed the situation in Syria by telephone with British Prime Minister David Cameron, the White House said.
More here
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An absolute, complete & total must-follow! —> @VoteRiders Visit their site – http://t.co/9ilezFfmDK – for information on voter ID, etc.
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) August 26, 2013
Please help spread the word about the brilliant Vote Riders site, and follow them on Twitter:
@TheObamaDiary @Dudette9t9 Just great to have your and others’ support for our fellow citizens who need help with complicated #VoterID
— VoteRiders (@VoteRiders) August 24, 2013
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AP: Controversial Texas Voter ID Law Likely Enforced Next Week
Unless a federal judge intervenes, the South Texas city of Edinburg could be the first to enforce a new voter ID law next week, and lawyers will likely use the special election to gather evidence to strengthen lawsuits to block it in the future.
While the U.S. Justice Department and several civil rights groups have filed federal lawsuits to block the requirement that voters produce a state-issued photo ID, no one as of Friday had asked for a restraining order to stop enforcement of the law. That means it will be in effect when early voting in the city’s special election begins Wednesday.
Allowing Texas to enforce the law could be part of a larger legal strategy to defeat it in the long run…..
More here
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Three NSA Headlines, Three Unforgivably Misleading Claims http://t.co/UDPattj26b #ablc #news #p2
— ExtremeLiberal (Jim) (@ExtremeLiberal) August 26, 2013
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Woah, look who RTed your fantastic post, LP!
MT @theobamadiary: Really beautiful post by @DaRiverZkind on the Civil Rights movement and the 1963 MOW http://t.co/gGGFvL8PTr #MOW50
— NAACP (@NAACP) August 26, 2013
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President Barack Obama holds Chaplain (Captain) Emil Kapaun’s Easter stole in the Oval Office during a greet with Kapaun’s family in the Oval Office, April 11, 2013. The President and First Lady Michelle Obama met with members of Chaplain Kapaun’s family before awarding him the Medal of Honor posthumously during a ceremony in the East Room. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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HellooooOOOOooooo.
Okay, that was the single busiest day in my entire life, it took me, oh, 15 hours to get 90 minutes work done. So, I have no clue what happened in the world while I was away. But I’d guess Wayne Rooney won the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ award??
96,367 thanks to today’s blog tyrants, the stupendous LP, UT and Amk.
Promise, I’ll catch up with all the news in tomorrow’s R&S. Meanwhile, chat away, and feel free to tell me how awesome I am to get 90 minutes work done in 15 hours 😕
U.S. Army chaplain Father Emil Kapaun, who died May 23, 1951
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2:05: President Obama Awards Chaplain Emil Kapaun the Medal of Honor
White House live * CBS * CNN
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